Electric door operator



1932- H. w. SHONNARD ELECTRIC DOOR OPERATOR Filed Sept. 1, 1927 June 14, 1932.

H. w. SHONNARD 1,863,417 I ELECTRIC noon OPERATOR Filed Sept. 1. 1927 5 Sheet s -Sheet 4 W gzvzzgzvrox.

ATTORNEYS.

n 4, 1932- H. w. SHONNARD ELECTRIC DOOR OPERATOR Filed Sept. 1. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 vwemtoz Patented June 14, 1932 UN TED STATE PATENT OFFICE HAROLD W. SHOHHARD, OI nomcnam, NEW JERSEY, ABSIGNOB TO ELEVATOR 8UP- PLIB COMPANY, 1110., 3030mm, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW anmmcnooa orm'roa Application filed September 1, 1927. Serial No. 216,808.

The present invention relates to a new and improved means for opening and closing of the gate on an elevator cage simultaneously with the door or doors at any floor opposite which such'cage may have landed.

The invention preferably includes springoperated means whereby the gate and door are made to assume their fully open or closed osition without the necessity of maintalnmg the activity of the door 0 erating means tihrougho'ut the full travel 0 the gate and cor.

In a preferred form the invention comprises means whereby the effort of the gate operatin motor may be utilized to hold the gate in c osed position while the car is run- 1%16 invention is illustrated in a preferred form by way of example in the accompan 111g drawings wherein Fi ure 1 is a view 0 the cage in vertical section, showing the associated stationary parts at a floor in elevation, Figure 2 is a view partly in plan and partl in section showing the doors at a floor and t e means for moving them, Figure 3 is a View partly in plan and partly in horizontal section showing the power-transmitting connection between the gate on the cage and the door or doors at a floor Figure 4 is a viewof the same in elevation, Figure 5 is a view in elevation of a preferred form of automatic reversing switch, Fi re 6 is a partial view in. elevation of the oor' doors shown closed, Figure 7 is a similar view of the same in open position, Figure 8 is a preferred diagram of a circuit for operating the'device, and Figure 9. is a side elevation of a modified form of motive mechanism. i

The cage gate is preferably of the collapsing type as'shown at 10 in Figure 1, and is opened and closed at the will of the operator by any desired automatic means. In the preferred form shown I supply means of the type disclosed in my United States Patent #1,684,719, September 18, 1928, or #1316567, June 11, 1929. These means comprise a swinging member 11 connected with the gate 10 by means of an arm 12, as described in my aforesaid patents application.

At 13 is shown the door electric motor, preferably of the three phase alternatin current type. This motor is geared as s own with a toothed disc 14:, upon the rotatable shaft of which is fixed a lever 15. One end 7 of this lever is connected to a rod 16 which impels the swingin member 11 by a pin and slot connection as s own. The 0 posite end of the lever 15 is connected wit a rod 17 used to operate the reversing switch shown at A in Fig. 1, and more fully described hereinafter. The lever 15 may be, and

preferably is, a lever forming part of any well known form of checking means, as for instance that shown at 15* Figs. 1 and 2 (also shown and described in my aforesaid patents). From the above construction it will be clear that, whenthe shaft of the motor is turned in one direction or the other, the member 11 will be rocked one way or the other, thus acting to open or close the collapsible gate 11, as the case may be; while vat the same time the switch A is operated,

with results hereinafter described.

The door at any given floor is of the familiar sliding type, and may consist of one, two or more sections. In the specific form shown, the door comprises two sections, 18 and 19, mounted in a well known manner .to permit them to slide past each other. These doors are operated in the usual manner by locking toggle arms, preferably arrar igled as follows.

e toggle arm 20. is pivotally attached to the forward or advancin edge of the door 18, and its opposite end is pivotally attached to one end of a second arm 21. This latter is pivotally mounted at its middle to a supporting plate 22 attached to the rear end of the door 19. The opposite end of the 90 arm 21 is pivotally attached to a third arm 23, the other end of which is pivotally moplnted on a bracket 24 attached to the rear wa A powerful spring 25 is swung from a bracket 26 on the rear wall, and its lower end is pivotally attached to a bracket 21' mounted on the arm 23 and projecting laterally therefrom. The position of the spring is such with relation to the toggle arms that until the doors are about half opened the spring is more and more compressed, until t e moving bracket 27 bringsthe sprin half.

way between its extreme ositions. hereafter, and as soon as the or opens a little further the spring swings into a position enabling its expansive force to press u on the bracket 27, in such a manner as to act t rough the toggle arms to continue the opening movement to the end. The same action takes place when the door is closed.

The door 18 is provided with a bar 28, adapted to slide in suitable bearin s 29 and 30, and provided with a pin 31. pen the forward end of this bar 28 is mounted a vertically placed late 32, projecting laterally toward the e evator cage. The toggle arm 20 is provided with a thrust plate 33, so placed as to swing in immediately behind the in 31, when the door is closed, as shown in ig. 6. In this case, the late 32 is spaced somewhat forward of the aring 30, as in Flfi. 6.

eferring'r now principally to Figures 3 and 4, the out edge of the collapsible gate upon the cage is provided with a forked bracket 34 within which is fixed the vertically slotted transmission member 35, by means of a bolt 36 or otherwise. The position of the transmission member 35 is such that, assuming both the door on the floor and the gate ber 35 will embrace the edge of the plate 32 as the elevator moves upward or downward into stopping position. This is clearly shown in Figures 3 and 4.

The car having stopped in the roper position, the electric motor 13 may e energized in any appropriate manner to open the collapsible gate 10 on the cage or car, acting as already described through the swinging member 11 and arm 12. As soon as the gate begins to open, the transmission member 35 will press upon the plate 32, and the first result will be to push the bar 28 to the left i in Figure 6. The pin 31-, acting on the plate 33, will break the toggle look by pushing the toggle arm 20 downward, the plate 32 now being in contact with the bracket or hearing 30 on the door 18.

Thereafter, continued pressure exerted through the transmission piece 35 and the plate 32 will push back the door sections 18 and 19 until the door is a little more than half open, after which, as already explained, the spring 25, coo ratin with the inertia of the doors, will ring t e doors into full open position, without the necessity of any further effort on the part of the electric motor 13. In order pro erly to control the motor 13 for operation 0 the parts in the manner just descrlbed, the reversing switch shown at A may be adjusted to interrupt the circuit as i soon as the spring 25 is in condition continue the movemelit of the doors already bean. g One method and means for accomplishing this will now be described in connection with Figures 1, 5 and 8; it being understood that this description is merely one example of many different ways in which my invention mziy be carried out.

n Fig. 8 the usual two controlling switch buttons on the car are indicated at B. The three phase source of current is indicated at O, supplying the three main conductors 37, 38 and 39. At D is shown a master relay arranged in any manner so that it is only energized when the car is running. This is preferably accomplished by placing it in multiple with the usual brake controlling solenoid.

Assuming the car to be running and the relay solenoid at D to be energized, circuits are established whereby the door controlling motor 13 is energized, with a relatively weak torque, in such a direction as to act continually to hold the gate closed. This is a novel and important feature of my. invention and is carried on as follows The solenoid D being energized, circuits are closed at 40, 41 and 42 and opened at 43. Three leads 37, 38' and 39 are thus connected with the three motor terminals 44, 45 and 46 in such a phase relation as to hold the gate closed; the circuits being traced as followson the car to be closed, the slot n said mem- From C through conductor 37 resistance 47 to reduce motor tor e) contact 42, and conuctors 48, 49 and 5 0 to motor terminal 45. Through conductor 38, resistance 51, contact 41, and conductors 52, 53 and 54 to terminal 46. Through conductor 39, resistance 55, contact 40 and conductors 56, 57 and 58 to motor terminal 44.

When the car stops at anyslanding, relay D is deenergized, which brea the motor circuit at 40, 41 and 42. At the same time a new circuit is prepared by the bridging contact 43, as shown in Figure 8.

To open the door, the upper button at B is pressedto close circuit, and the three terminals of the motor 13 are now brought into circuit for opening the gate and floor door as hitherto described. The circuits thus newly closed energize the relay solenoids O and O in multiple, and may be traced as follows Through conductor 38, 59, 60, 61 and 62, switch contact 63, conductor'64 through relays O and O to conductor 65, to upper button at B, conductors 66 and 67 to bridging contact 43 and to C by conductor 37. The relay 0' being thus energized closes three phase current through the gate motor 13 in such phase relation as to cause the gate to 0 en. The circuits are traced as follows:

onductor 38 leads to motor terminal 45 by conductors 59, 60, 68, contact 69 and conductor 50. Conductor 37 leads to motor terminal 46 by conductor 70, contact 71 and conductor 54. Conductor 39 leads to motor ter- 1,aoa,417- 3 minal 44 by conductor 72 contact 7 and conductor 58.

At the same time the top contact 74 of relay closes a holding circuit which maintains circuit through 0 and 0 after the upper button at B, in the car is released. This circuit may be traced as follows; from terminal 37 contact 43, wire 67 contact 74, through the coils O and O, by wire 64, contact 63, wires 61 and 60, to terminal 38. I

The car ate'and floor door will then be 0 ened until the switch at A (Figs. 1, and 8? close circuit through conductors 75 and 7 6, energizing the open stop relay 0 S as follows:

Conductor 37, contact 43, conductors 67 77, contact 78, conductor 79, relay coil 0 S, conductors 89 and 81, contact 82, conductors 83 and 76 to switch A, and back by way of conductors 75, 60 59 and 38.

The relay 6 S being energized closes'the circuit at contact 84 and opens the circuit at 63. Closure of circuit at 84 forms a holding circuit for the relay 0 S in parallel with the switch A. This circuit will be identical with the last above traced as far as conductor 80, and after that through contact 84 and return wire 61 to terminal 38. At the same time,

openin of the circuit at 63 deenergizes the relays and O. This opens the circuit previously traced thr'ough the contacts 73, 69 and 71 to the motor 13 and also opens the holding circuit traced through the contact 74. It

also opens the original circuit to the relay 0 S and closes the switch at 85 to prepare a circuit to the relay C S. So long as the relay 0 S remains energized through its own hol ing circuit the relays O and 0 cannot be energized through the upper, or gate opening,

push button at B, because the circuit of these relays must pass through the switch 63 which has been opened by relay 0 S.

To close the gate and door the lower push button at B is pressed, thereby energizing the closing relays C and C in multiple arc. This circuit passes as follows. By conductors 38, 59, 60, 61" and 86 contact 87, conductor 88, in parallel through the relays C and C and by conductor 89 to the lower push button from the lower push button back'by conductor 66, conductor 67, contact 43 and conductor 37.

The energizing of relay C closes the switches 89, 90 and 91, whereby the three hase circuits are closed through the motor 13 1n such a phased relation as to start'closure of the gate and door.

The circuit through the relay coils C and C in parallel is maintained by a holding circuit established through the switch 92 when the relay C is energized. Atthe same time this same relay closes the switch 93 to prepare a circuit through the relay C S; and

also opens a circuit at 78 which was previously traced through the relay 0 S, thereby deenergizing the same.

.ance with my invention.

When the gate and'door have closed sufiiciently far to bring the closing spring 25 into operation, as hitherto described the switch A again establishes connection between the conductors 75 and 76 and the relay C S is energized b a circuit which may be traced as follows: t rough conductors 38, 59, and to switch A, and thence by conductor 76, switch 93, relay .6 S, conductor 94, switch 85, conductor 77, conductor 67 switch 43 to conductor 37.

The closing of the switch 95 by the relay C S forms a holding circuit for that relay; and the opening of the switch 87 by the same relay breaks the circuit previousl traced through said switch to the relays and C The closing effort of the motor 13 will be interrupted and the closing will be continued by means of the spring 25 as hitherto described.

. When the operator again starts the car after the doors are closed, the relay D is energized, the current is placed on the motor in the closing direction wlth resistance in series as previously described, and-the cycle of operation above set forth ma' again be repeated at the next stop of the ele ator.

The above description-sets forth one preferred arrangement of electrical service whereby the opening and closing of the gate on an elevator cage, either alone or with the floor door, may be accomplished in accord- It is clear that other circuits and 0 her modes of operation may be adopted within the skill of those acquainted with this art without departing from my invention.

In Figure 9 I have shown a modified means for employing the spring 25 in a manner to carry out the advantageous functions hitherto pointed out' in connection with that element.

In this modification the motor 13 is connected up with the gear 14 hitherto described by means of two properly proportioned pinions and 96 fixed to a common shaft 97, and the door actuating spring 25 is carried by the rod 98 pivotally mounted at 99, said spring impinging upon a head or enlargement 100 on said rod 98 whichv is pivotally connected with the pinion 96 at 101.

As the motor 13 turns in one direction or the other to open or close the gate the rod 98 with its head 100 is made to swing across a dead center in such a manner-as to cause continuation of the movement of the gate act-uating gears shown in Figure 9 in one direction or the other as the case may be, approximately as the switch A has caused opening of the motor 1311s hitherto described.

The objects and advantages of my improvement may be made available in a great variety of forms without departing from the e of my invention,-which is not limited e details herein shown and described.

What I claim is- 1.'A slidable door, a group of toggle arms adapted to'operate the same, and an extension on one of said arms, in combination with an assisting spring having a pivotal mounting at one end and attached at its op osite end to said extension, said spring ing adapted to assist movement of the doors when swung past a critical position.

2.'In an elevator system, a door, means for moving the same toward either open or closed position, means for interrupting operation of said moving means before completion of, the opening or closing movement of the door, and means adapted to initially oppose the action of said moving means in either its opening or closing movement and to complete the movement of the door after interruption of operation of. the moving means.

3. Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein the moving means comprise an electric motor and wherein the interrupting means com rise aswitch actuated by said motor and a apted, when in one position, to modify the motor circuits to bring the motor to rest.

4. In an elevator system, a door for controlling access to the elevator, locking toggle arm for opening or closing said door, and auxiliary means for assisting the movement of said door when said. first-named means moves the door beyond a critical position.

' 5. An electric door closer of the type in which an electric motor operates a door combined-with toggle arms which are substantially on dead centers in the closed position of the door, further comprisin a spring connected to said toggle in sue manner as to cause said toggle to continue the closing movement of said door after said door has been partially moved toward its closing position, and means for energizing said motor 'to' eflect the partial closing of said door.

6. An electric door closer of the type in which an electric motor operates a door combined with toggle arms which are substantially on dead centers in the closed position of the door-' further comprising a sprmg'connected to said toggle in such manner as to operate to press said toggle to continue opening of said door after said door has been partially opened, and conversely. to press said door to closed position after said door has been partially moved towards its closing position, and means for energizing said motor to efi'ect the partial opening and closing of said door. Y

7. A combination according to claim 6, fur: ther com rising a reversing switch ada d to reverse the connections to the motor ollowing the action of said spring taking up the operation of said door and prior to the completion of the movement of said door to either its opened or closed'position.

8. A combination according to claim 6 further including means for energizing said means motor in the closed position of the door to 'act'to continuously hold said door closed.

9. In an elevator system, a door, an electrical motor for moving said door to closing position, and means for energizing said electrical motor in the closed position of the door, tends continuously to act in the door closin direction.

10. an elevator stem, a door, electrical means for moving said door to closing ition, and means for ener g said electrical means in the closed position of the door, to act continuously to hold said door closed, said latter means comprising means for restricting the current consumption of said electrical means in said closed podtion.

11. In an elevator system a door, an electric motor for moving said door toward closing position, other means for acting on said door in a direction to close it after it has reached a predetermined position in its closing movement, and means for reversing the action of said motor during the action 0 said other closing means.

12. In an elevator system, a door, a reversible electric motor for moving said door toward and from closing position, other means for acting on said door in a direction to close it after it has reached a predetermined position in its closing movement, a reversing switch for said motor, means for actuating said reversing switch during the closing movement of said door, and means for controlling said motor through said reversin switch whereby the closing movement of said door maybe reversed by said motor during the action of said other clodn means.

13. In an elevator system, a oor, a reversible motor for moving said door toward and from closing ition, other means for acting on said oor in a direction to close it after it has reached a predetermined ition in its closing movement, and in a direction to open it after it has reached a predetermined ition in its opening movement, a reversmg switch for said motor, means for actuating said reversing switch during the openin and closing movements of said door, and means for controlling said motor through said reversing switch whereby the opening or closing movement of-said door may be rereversed by said motor during the action of said other closing means.

In-testimony whereof I have hereto afiixed A 

